Mulcahy to Helm Scorpion King 2

Universal committed to expanding the mummy mythosShock has been tipped off that Resident Evil: Extinction director Russell Mulcahy is moving from the arid locale of one sequel to another: Universal’s The Scorpion King 2.

The first film, a prequel to the studio’s “Mummy” franchise, opened in 2002 to a $36 million three-day gross – it made a grand total of $91 million domestically by the time it ran its course. Regardless of the reviews it proved to Hollywood that The Rock – who was mostly seen in The Mummy Returns as a CGI’d tail-shakin’ baddie – had star power.

Unfortunately, we haven’t received any further word regarding the sequel’s plot or casting details. A new “King” poses a tremendous opportunity for Universal to tap some serious cross-promotion as Rob Cohen heats up a third “Mummy” chapter.

Mulcahy, an Australian filmmaker, previously helmed Razorback and Highlander. He has dabbled in some mummy lore himself with Talos the Mummy in ’98 and, most recently, The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb.